Porcelain stoneware is considered a durable and wear-resistant material, but even a high-quality slab can get cracked. In most cases, the problem is not related to the coating itself, but to the preparation of the base, the choice of adhesive, or a violation of the installation technology. Damage can also occur during transportation, trimming, and use of the floor under high point loads.
To understand why porcelain tiles crack on the floor, it is necessary to evaluate the entire structure of the coating: from the condition of the screed to the width of the tiles and expansion joints. Timely identification of the cause helps to stop further destruction and correctly replace the damaged area.
Porcelain tiles are highly hard, but are practically incapable of bending with the base. If the screed sags, vibrates or has differences in height, internal stress arises in the slab. Over time, it concentrates in the weakest zone and leads to the appearance of a crack.
Before installation, the base must be strong, dry and level. Fresh cement screed must be given time to gain strength and complete the main shrinkage. Pre-existing cracks cannot simply be covered with tiles: they must be exposed, cleaned, repaired and, if necessary, a separating membrane must be used.
If porcelain tiles crack in several places along the same line, the cause may be an active crack in the base. Simply replacing individual slabs in this case will only give a temporary result, since the stress will again be transferred to the new coating.
Voids under porcelain tiles significantly reduce the resistance of the coating to impacts and loads. If a heavy object or furniture leg impacts an area without support, the slab breaks. Particularly dangerous are voids at corners and in the central part of large-format elements.
Common installation errors include:
The adhesive composition is applied with a notched trowel in one direction, and the slab is pressed with an offset across the grooves. For large formats, the glue is usually distributed along both the base and the back side of the element. The specific technology depends on the recommendations of the material and adhesive manufacturer.
Tile flooring expands and contracts with temperature changes. If porcelain tiles are laid close to the walls or over a large area without expansion joints, the stress has nowhere to go. As a result, the coating may come off the base, lift, or crack.
The underfloor heating system requires special attention. After installation, you must wait until the glue and grout dry completely. Heating is turned on gradually, increasing the temperature by several degrees every day. A sudden start at maximum power creates a temperature difference between the slab, glue and screed.
Expansion joints in the base must not be covered with a rigidly glued slab. Their position must be reflected in the cladding or compensated for by a special technical solution. A gap is also left around the perimeter of the room, which is later closed with a plinth.
The question of why porcelain stoneware cracks when cutting with a grinder is most often associated with an unsuitable disk, overheating, or improper fixation of the slab. A regular segmented wheel can create strong vibration and tear out parts of the material. For a clean cut you need a high-quality diamond blade designed specifically for porcelain stoneware.
A safe operating sequence looks like this:
L-shaped and U-shaped cuts are made especially carefully. Stress is concentrated in the inner corners, so it is recommended to drill relief holes before connecting the lines. For complex cutting of large-format slabs, it is better to use a professional water-cooled machine.
Damage prevention begins at the material selection stage. The porcelain tile catalog should take into account the format, thickness, purpose of the collection and surface type. However, the reliability of the finished floor equally depends on the quality of the base and the qualifications of the craftsman. porcelain stoneware catalog
Before laying, it is necessary to draw up a layout diagram, check the differences in the base and determine the position of the expansion joints. The adhesive is selected taking into account the size of the slabs, the type of screed, the presence of heated floors and operating conditions. During work, it is useful to periodically lift the installed element and control the area of contact with the glue.
If a crack has already appeared, its cause is first determined. Single damage from a falling heavy object can be eliminated by replacing the slab. Repeated cracking, a hollow sound when tapped, or lifting of the coating indicate a system error. In such a situation, inspection of the base and partial or complete dismantling will be required.
On the ITUM website you can select porcelain tiles for residential and commercial premises. The right combination of high-quality material, prepared base and adherence to installation technology allows you to obtain a reliable coating without cracks and premature repairs.
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